Research interests

My main current interest is in the evolutionary ecology of host-parasite interactions, more specifically in parasitic manipulation. The model organisms are acanthocephalan parasites, infecting freshwater crustacean intermediate hosts and fish or bird final hosts.

I am addressing the evolutionary significance of parasite-induced behavioural alterations with a specific emphasis on changes in anti-predator defenses (such as odour-evoked escape responses, choice of microhabitat). I am also investigating the adaptive value of carotenoid-based pigmentation in some acanthocephalan species.

More recently, I have started exploring the mechanistic basis of parasite manipulation, by focusing on candidate neuromodulatory pathways.

The study of parasite-induced alterations is now addressing the existence of a behavioural syndrome in infected manipulated hosts. Ultimately, this more integrated approach should improve our understanding of the evolution of parasite manipulation and of complex life cycle.